II. Approval of Minutes.The minutes of the February 7, 2002, meeting were approved as distributed.

III. Reports.

Faculty Representative’s Report. Senator Cravins attended the
recent faculty representative’s meeting when issues concerning faculty
governance were discussed. Overall, if UW-L can maintain our current level
of involvement we are doing well. Student recruitment, retention, and a
survey of student opinions, as well as the issue of collective bargaining were
additional topics of discussion.

Chair’s Report. Chair Heim reported that there is concern
within System over how governance is working with respect to increased
workloads, service requirements, etc. There will be a conference on
faculty governance next fall. The Chancellor has approved the change in
the policy for retroactive credits proposed by the Department of Modern
Languages.

State Budget News. Chancellor Hastad’s email today addresses the
current budget crisis. Copies of the 3/14/02 UW-L News Release addressing the
State budget cuts were distributed. The Governor’s Budget Repair Bill
proposed a $51 million cut to the UW-System budget. This would eliminate
in excess of $1.2 million from UW-L’s base budget. UW-L is struggling to
make these cuts while preserving enrollment access but without sacrificing the
quality of instruction. Recently, the Joint Finance Committee proposed
additional cuts to the UW System budget of over $21 million. These actions
forced the Board of Regents to suspend admissions. Republican Caucus
action would deepen these cuts even further by nearly $60 million. These
cuts would affect UW-L by an estimated $3 million above and beyond the
Governor’s Budget Repair Bill.

The Joint Finance Committee and Assembly proposed budget reductions are in
excess of $108 million. Chair Heim speculated that once the budget goes to
the Conference Committee (comprised of four senators and four representatives
with equal representation) for final consideration, it is likely that the budget
reduction will fall somewhere between the Governor’s Repair Bill of $51 million
and the combined $118 million number that is currently being proposed.
Heim further stated that the possibility of early retirements is still a
reality. He urged Senators to contact their State representatives/senators
regarding this severe budgetary crisis.

Report from the SEC regarding Elections for Faculty Senate.
There is good news and bad news regarding the current faculty senate election
process. The good news is that nine nominating petitions were received for
the nine vacancies on next year’s faculty senate. The bad news is that
only nine nominating petitions were received for the nine vacancies on next
year’s faculty senate. Rather than go through the formal balloting
procedure, the Senate Executive Committee recommends that the following slate be
adopted:

Chair Heim informed the senate of upcoming topics to be addressed at
future meetings: PTS Committee reports on compression and linking
promotion and tenure. Academic Planning Committee – ENV Sts proposal will
be sent to the PVC – committee made no recommendation. Also from the APC
is the proposal for an MS in PA, also Minor in Geog. Medical Laboratory
Science program is going to be placed on temporary hold pending a review for
possible reorganization, revitalization, or elimination. The SEC is asking
the Academic Planning Committee to take a formal stance on this proposal and to
confirm in writing that any program elimination would have to be approved in
advance by the appropriate faculty committee. The Medical Laboratory
Science program will be on the Faculty Senate agenda in two weeks. CAPS
will come in with proposals on admissions standards as well as re-entry
standards. A proposal on Graduate Studies Reorganization will be on the
agenda in two weeks, and the University Planning & Budget Committee is working
on budget recommendations. We expect a report on strategic planning in
early April.

A report and recommendations from a CGAAF grievance will be forwarded to the
Chancellor in a day or two; the Hearing Committee has two appeals for
consideration; Articles & Bylaws are not recommending committee size changes;
and the UCC is not recommending a change in J and May-term policies at this
time.

Senator Brooks was given a hearty welcome back, and congratulations were
extended to Senator Kelly on the recent birth of her Son. Yummy cookies
Senator Weaver – thanks!!

Lastly, Chair Heim encouraged senators to participate in the Faculty
Scholarship Request. Each Spring some deserving student receives a
scholarship from this pool of money.

Assistant Chancellor for Planning & Budget, Ron Lostetter reviewed
compression and promotion calculations per the attached report, showing the
steps taken to address the problem of pay compression for UW-L faculty. It
was further confirmed that the 2002-2003 pay plan includes increases of $5,000
and $3,000 for promotion to the ranks of Full and Associate Professor,
respectively.

IV. Proposal for an MS in Occupational Therapy.Peggy Martin, Program Director in Occupation Therapy, joined the senate.
She explained that the request for an entitlement to plan is a result of changes
in the accreditation standards in the discipline. She is not anticipating
any additional position, space or supply needs. Current faculty meet the
minimum standards for graduate offerings, however there may be a need for
faculty development efforts in the area of research methods. The MS in OT
would be looking at a broad array of majors coming into the program and an
increase in articulation agreements. Martin does not expect any objection
to the proposal within the UW System. Presently Milwaukee and Madison have
programs. The graduate program would admit 24 students into the 30 month
long professional program.

M/S/P to approve the proposal for an entitlement to plan an MS in
Occupational Therapy. (voice vote with two abstentions)

V. Proposed Administrative Reorganization.Assistant Chancellor Lostetter reviewed the administrative reorganization,
which combines the division of Administrative Services and the University
Financial Administration into one unit. This reorganization will provide
efficiencies in administrative operations by allowing for a greater coordination
of major campus fiscal and capital activities; coordination of administrative
fiscal and business services; coordination of planning activites in
administrative and business services; a reduction of administrative costs
(Assistant Chancellor position—1 FTE, Assistant to Facilities Manager
position—0.6 FTE, and Office Manager, University Financial Administration—0.5
FTE); and application of best business practices.

Be it resolved, that the UW-La Crosse Student Senate cordially and
respectfully asks that the UW-L Faculty Senate and Academic Staff Council enter
into negotiations whereto the intended goal will be to have a greater presence
in each other’s governing process, which can include but not limited to the
following:

Be it finally resolved, that the UW-L Student Senate entrusts the student
Faculty Senate Liaison to carry out such negotiations on behalf of the UWLSA
with final approval needed from the UW-L Student Senate and other respective
governing bodies.

The Faculty Senate appeared to support both the notion of and the need
for communication and dialogue between the Faculty and Student Senates.
However, there appeared to be no support for either body to have a formal vote
in the other’s senate. There appeared to be general agreement that the
Faculty Senate and the Student Senate should be separate governance bodies.
Suggestions were made concerning a possible seat each on the chancellor’s
cabinet? Maybe some creative venues to discuss issues.

M/S/F adoption of Shared Governance Resolution. (show of hands)

M/S/P that the SEC communicate to the Student Senate that we are open for
dialogue. (voice vote with abstentions)